A/N -Happy New year, and all that jazz. Hope you're all staying warm ahead of the deep freeze the south has going on. Much love to Practically An Avenger and X-MenOverAvengers for the much-appreciated reviews! Don't feel pressured to review every chapter (but if you do - SUPER good karma cookies to you) but don't be shy to review. As we fiddle with all sorts of storylines in all sorts of universes, enjoy this one!

Chapter 105 - The Great X-Men Walkout

Scott had slept hard once he got to Genosha, and if he was honest, he didn't particularly want to get up again. It wasn't just that he was comfortable or that the view was nice with Annie sitting out on the balcony connected to their room looking out over the waves and letting him sleep in. He just… didn't feel like doing anything more than sitting right there.

He didn't think Wanda was aware of the fact that she was reinforcing his worries. She'd promised to bring "all" of his kids to Genosha, and apparently, that meant all of the junior team. All of them. May, Mia, Tommy, America - all of them. Not just his kids.

He could see what she meant, though. He was always looking out for them, even before he'd agreed to run intel for them. He cared about all of them, not just the ones dating his kids. They were the X-Men, and that made them family.

But that also meant that, when he woke up and thought of everyone staying with Wanda, he suddenly didn't want to face them. He'd spent a lifetime believing in the dream of peaceful coexistence with every fiber of his being, and he was doing a piss poor job of actually living it, in his estimation. He was far more comfortable with killing than he had been before he'd lost his first team, and he was starting to wonder if he hadn't been irreparably damaged.

He still wasn't even sorry.

That was what he kept circling back to as he lay there listening to the sound of the waves. He was a terrible example for those kids.

Not to mention the fact that he kept tripping at the finish line. He was so ready to be done that he kept trying to get there faster than he should - and this time felt even worse, because he had a good thing going with Annie. He was enjoying teaching again. He had so much that could keep him there, and he felt like he had no right to want to be done, either.

So, he stayed there, caught in his own thoughts, for far too long - long enough, even, that Annie noticed he was awake, smiled, and came into the room from the balcony to sit down beside him. When he didn't sit up with her, she slipped down next to him, wrapping him up and resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Tired?" she teased lightly.

"Yeah," he said in a breath but didn't elaborate.

Annie frowned and moved in a little closer. "If you need something," she said slowly, "please tell me. I know you were hurt…"

Scott sighed and turned her way to kiss her forehead. "I'm fine," he promised. "Really. I'm just tired."

Annie watched him for a while and then nodded. She hadn't seen him in the immediate aftermath of a fight before, so she wasn't sure what was normal and what wasn't. So, she rearranged herself to tuck under his chin and stayed there with him for a while.

By the second day in Genosha, Annie was starting to get worried. She wanted a second opinion before she drew any conclusions, but… she didn't think Scott was just tired. This wasn't bed rest or recovery as far as she could see; he didn't even seem interested in talking with her or sitting on the balcony or… anything.

She had half a mind to call her brother, but there was an odd dynamic there. Technically, she'd be abusing her privilege of being related to his therapist. And besides, she was second-guessing herself because she'd never dated a superhero before. She wanted to ask someone in the business before she got truly worried.

With the excuse that she wanted to bully Wanda into letting her take over the kitchen for a while, Annie slipped out of their room, her frown deepening when Scott hardly moved. This wasn't like him at all. He was always busy. Frustratingly so sometimes.

She was worrying her hands as she headed down the hall, so she was relieved to find Rachel in the living room - sitting with America and reading a book with her head in America's lap.

"Oh, good," she said, hurrying over to sit near the girls. "I need your advice."

"He looks best in blue, if you ask me," Rachel said before she looked up. "But you know … if you're against it…"

Annie let out a disbelieving laugh. "No, of course not, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about," she said, tucking her feet up underneath her where she was sitting, still worrying her hands. "I'm just not sure what's… what's normal after a fight like he had."

"Well," Rachel said with a mild frown as she disentangled and sat up. "That depends. I mean … it's hard to judge properly because this was actually a really big fight. Not just for him - for anyone. Why? What's going on?"

"It's just… a suspicion right now," Annie admitted.

"Has he bothered to eat anything that didn't come in a bowl or a mug?"

Annie shook her head softly.

"Okay, that's a problem."

"He's barely bothering to exist," Annie said. "He'll acknowledge me, but…"

"He's in crisis," Rachel finished. She considered her for a moment. "Has he talked about anything? Anything at all related to the past week? I know he was obsessing and worried before … well. He was right."

Annie bit her lip and shook her head, frustrated tears filling her eyes despite her best efforts. "I don't know how to help him, Rachel," she said.

"Okay, one sec," Rachel said. "Just gonna go with number one …" She closed her eyes for a moment and went for the easy angle first. Hey Dad, she projected out. Haven't seen you practically since we got here. Do you want to get dinner on the beach tonight? Should be a great night for sunsets and fires.

I wouldn't want to get in your way. Sounds like America would appreciate it.

First of all, you're never in my way, Rachel replied. And second of all … so what? You're still at the top of my list, you know. America has had all my time lately. She can share.

Maybe later, Rachel, Scott said, even his mental voice tired.

Okay. If you're sure. I can bring you a s'more if you want…

Appreciate the thought.

Love you, Dad.

Love you too.

Rachel narrowed her eyes as she backed out of the telepathic conversation. "Okay. Plan 2. Annie - we've got this. Just … trust me."

Annie nodded. "I do," she promised. "I just want him to be okay, and I'm not ashamed to say I'm a bit over my head right now."

"All of this was just a bit much," Rachel said. "I'm glad Wanda is intervening, but still…" She turned toward America. "Can you quietly, discreetly, and carefully gather up the team?"

America smirked. "Of course I can, gorgeous. I like Plan 2."

"You don't even know what plan 2 is yet."

"And?"

Rachel smiled crookedly, then turned back to Annie. "Just … go about your business as you were. We've got this."

"Well, I told Scott I was looking for a kitchen. If you need sugar cookies…"

"I'm going to bet we'd all like them when things get rolling," Rachel said, leaving Annie and America to their tasks.

Scott hadn't been expecting anyone after Annie left, so he was a bit surprised when Tommy, of all people, was knocking on his door.

He thought about ignoring the door for a few seconds, but he couldn't ignore the kids, not really, so he ended up going to the door and frowning when he saw both Billy and Tommy standing in the hallway. "Oh," he said as Tommy brushed past him into the room and took a seat on the couch. "Okay, come in."

"We won't take up much of your time," Billy promised. "But … we both thought this was better done in person…"

Scott frowned as he looked between them. "Are you two alright?" he asked, jumping immediately to concern, considering how things had been going lately.

"Yeah, I think so," Billy said, looking toward Tommy, who was already nodding. "It's been a little rough lately, but, you know how that works better than anyone, right?"

"Yeah, it tends to come in waves," Scott said.

"Right," Billy said. "So … you know we all think of you as our de-facto leader - even if you hate it - so we kinda decided that it's time for a serious talk. Not picking or teasing. Promise. Just …" He gestured openly. "It has been a lot. And I think … as much as I liked being on the team, I really need to focus on Genosha. So, I'm staying."

Scott felt his heart drop, though he did his best to swallow that reaction. Billy had just been through a lot with Viper, and he had plenty on his plate as it was. "I'm sorry to hear it," he said honestly. "The team is going to miss you."

"Miss us both, you mean," Tommy put in. "Mom kinda wants me to learn how to do what Billy does. You know, not gonna force Grandfather's hand-picked successor to be the big man in charge if he doesn't want to, right?"

Now, that, Scott hadn't been as prepared for. Billy had been through the wringer and had made no secret of the fact that he was a prince first and foremost. But Tommy? "... are you sure?" Scott asked at last.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, gotta be done. Can't let Billy do all the prince-ing by himself, right?"

Scott stared at Tommy and then cleared his throat. "I… wasn't expecting…" He cleared his throat again. "I understand your duties come first. I'm just sorry to hear it."

Tommy shrugged. "Yeah, well, we wanted you to hear it from us first." He got to his feet. "Anyway, hope you're feeling better after your secondhand spider bite," he added before he zipped out the door, leaving Billy rolling his eyes at his brother before he disappeared too.

Scott frowned toward the door for a long time before he scrubbed both hands over his face and let out his breath. Losing the twins was going to hit the team hard, and Scott had to admit that he was already worried about how James would take it, since James was trying to do so much as it was. Billy could wish himself around, so at least they wouldn't be separated, though…

Maybe he shouldn't be alarmed. He knew Billy was going to go back to Genosha to run things. He just … didn't realize it would be so soon, or that Tommy would go too.

Scott glanced at the clock on the wall and ran a hand over his face. Dinner would be starting soon. I guess I was there longer than I thought, he vaguely thought to himself before he stood up with some effort and headed off to make sure he was semi presentable. But even at that, he didn't actually look in the mirror as he ran his hand through his hair before redirecting to find the others. Even if they knew it was eventually coming, it was still going to hit his kids. Billy was one of Kate's best friends, after all. And Scott was still watching out for her after everything those three had been through.

To find out Billy was going to stay home after the three of them had lost their shared home together … It was concerning enough to snap Scott partially out of his fog. For their sakes.

What he found in the dining room, though - was the group as they gathered for dinner. Annie had decided to take her frustrations out by cooking. He recognized several of her dishes as he took a seat at the end of the table between Annie and Nate. He kissed her cheek as he took a seat, watching as the last few people filed in. The twins were near the head of the table with Wanda chatting, and he had to do a small double take when he saw Mia and Vision sitting together discussing something that Mia was openly excited about. He had fully expected James to be sitting with Vision … or Billy, but no. He was slightly apart from the twins with May Parker - who was excitedly chatting about how amazing Genosha was. James didn't look too excited, but … Scott was sure that had more to do with his company than anything else - and it made sense that James deal with May. She was the only one on the team that wasn't paired up with someone and Billy was busy.

Then he heard what Mia and Vision were discussing and he honestly didn't know if he was stunned, suspicious, or proud. Considering the subject at hand was Mia's education and the possibility of her attending school in Genosha, he couldn't get mad. Especially when Mia's focus sounded like it was based in botany.

Scott was trying to figure out where to start when Nate caught his attention. "Hey, Dad? So … I have a quick question."

"Okay," Scott said slowly as he turned toward his youngest. "What's up?"

"I need you to sign off so I can take the first tests to finish school."

"Nate-"

"I know, I know, but it's not just because Kate's getting ready to graduate," Nate defended.

"Mom has my test scheduled for next week," Kate told Scott, leaning over her glass of water so he could see her just beyond Nate.

"Yeah, well I'm pretty sure, even with as smart as Nate is, he's not going to match that time line," Scott said.

"Dad, come on. I want to push through so we can start a gap year," he said with a grin.

"Oh, you'll be going to college then?" Scott said, suddenly a bit more engaged since he knew Nate hadn't shared any serious thoughts on what he wanted to do.

"Ah … no? I meant a gap from the team so we can act our age for a little while before going full time superheroes?" Nate said, one eye closed as he shrugged up one shoulder.

Scott dropped his head forward, and his lips parted as he tried and failed to find a response. Kate and Nate had been the loudest supporters of restarting the X-Men; the way they talked, they couldn't wait to be done with high school so they could live the hero life full-time. So, all things considered…

"I don't understand," Scott said. "Is this… does Kate need the time off?" he asked, knowing that Nate would do whatever Kate asked.

Nate shrugged lightly. "I mean, yeah, that's part of it, sure. But I'd also kind of like to - you know - see the world a little bit. Off the clock. Without it being thirty seconds between rescue and leave."

Scott didn't bother to hide his surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah," Nate said, frowning. "Didn't you ever want to just … live?"

Scott blinked at him for a moment, but found himself distracted when he barely overheard America trying to convince Rachel to take a break, too… which left him wondering.

The rest of dinner was fairly simple to get through. Scott could listen in on most of the conversation going around the dinner table, though most of it was mundane enough that he found himself getting lost in thought.

When Scott came across James the next morning, he was drinking coffee with one hand and texting with the other. "Got a minute?" Scott asked as he took a seat nearby.

"Ah … sure," James said slowly, texting furiously as his notifications went haywire. But he didn't set the phone down. "What's up?"

"Are you texting Billy?" Scott asked when it was clear James wasn't going to ignore the phone or Scott.

"No," James said, frowning slightly. "Tony."

"Something wrong?"

"No, he's just irritated."

"Because you're staying with Billy?" Scott asked, only to be surprised when James stared at him as if he had an extra head on his shoulders.

"Why would you think … no, I'm not staying on Genosha. That is a whole different irritated discussion. He's not texting me at all right now. I don't wanna get into it. You wanted to talk?"

Scott frowned. This wasn't like James at all, and considering how the rest of the day had gone, he was sure something was going on. He just didn't know what. "Yeah," he said simply. "Your teammates are all stepping away from the team at the same time, and I don't know what you kids are trying to pull, but I know it's not a coincidence."

James frowned. "We're not trying to pull anything," he said in a more tense tone. The twins have their things they need to do, Mia's looking at Genosha because we're still not there in the States, and Kate needs a break, I guess."

Scott pressed his lips together. "And you?" he prompted, knowing the look on his face.

"I don't know yet."

Scott leaned forward. "James, you have so much potential. You can do whatever you put your mind to."

"So I'm told."

"So walk me through it," Scott said.

James shook his head lightly, almost as if he wasn't thinking about it. "I don't really want to do anything, to be honest."

Scott stared at him blankly. "If you need more time here, with Billy-"

"I don't want to be here."

"Then I don't understand," Scott said, his voice tight. "You have such a bright future. You have someone who loves you, you have the teams, you even have Tony. Whatever support you need, you have it. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'd just rather go out into the woods, okay?"

As Scott stared at James, Kate let out a loud sigh. "You doofus," she said, not immediately specifying who she was talking to.

Scott gestured toward kate. "See?" he started to say, but Kate cut him off.

"No, you ignorant Greek mythological being. You are the doofus." She came to poke Scott in the center of his chest and then did a passable imitation of him. "'You have such a bright future with the teams and people who love you and so much support' like oh my God how do you not see the parallels. Are we sure Tony didn't accidentally switch off your 'See the Obvious Signs' sight when he gave you infrared?"

Scott let his head drop forward a bit, especially when he realized all eyes were on him. "You can't- you can't stage a walkout."

"I think we did," James said.

Scott shook his head, one hand over his eyes. "This is different," he said.

"You're right. I've probably got a couple hundred years to figure out what I should do."

"Damnit all, James." Scott gestured with his free hand. "It's not the same, okay? When I was on the team, it was my job to keep us on the right path. To live up to the dream, okay? And I damn well muddled that as soon as I came back. You were all doing fine without me."

"If you believe that, then why are you this ticked off at the idea of us doing something else now?"

"Because you kids are better than I am." Scott leaned back. "And that's the way it should be. We're supposed to raise you to be better. It's the one thing I've done right."

"So, you're mad because you think we should what?" James asked with his nose scrunched up.

"I think you should be the X-Men!"

"Well, we think you should too," Mia pointed out, teleporting over to sit by James. "Or do our opinions not count?"

Scott sighed heavily. "Mia…"

"If we're voting, I'm in favor of a Cyclops in the team," Kate said with her hand in the air. "I know I sleep better knowing Viper's dead. You can totally be a non powered X-Man with me. We need more!"

"I don't know," James said. "I'm starting to like the idea of just falling off the map."

"You damn well won't," Scott said irritably.

"Sure I will."

"You have a life and a love and so much ahead of you, and-"

"And you don't?" James challenged.

"That's different-"

"Woods it is."

"I mean, the Avengers are all older than you, so, like, you can't even claim retirement," Kate said, smirking hard.

Scott scrubbed his hand down his face. "Fine. Fine." He gestured sharply. "You want me on the team? Fine. But I damn well better see you all at practice or so help me God I will move to Alaska with Annie."

"Um … I voted woods," James said, knowing he was still riled.

"You're just being a little shit, so that doesn't count."

"No, I really think that sounds better."

"Then Alaska with Annie it is."

"Okay. Enjoy that," James said.

"You don't even have a plan," Scott said, exasperated.

"Nope, and if I did, I wouldn't share," James said. "Security breach."

"Damnit, James."

"This is so fun," Nate stage whispered to Kate. "This never happens."

"Shut up, Nate," Scott said, irritated, before he pointed at James. "You've made your point, and I agreed to rejoin the team, now stop trying to quit."

"Yeah, but see … you've been giving me the consent speech so much I don't want to hear that if it's coerced."

"You're the ones staging a walkout!" Scott yelled in pure disbelief.

James shrugged openly. "Still."

"So you're quitting unless I rejoin, but you don't want me to rejoin because I think it's a stupid move to throw away your potential. This is a no-win, and you engineered it that way, you little punk."

"I actually was really hoping you'd have pulled your head out a lot sooner than when I got involved," James said.

"He likes the option where he asks me to run away with him," Annie put in from the kitchen door, grinning crookedly. "It's temptin', I know."

Scott looked up at Annie and couldn't help but laugh. "You're conspiring."

"Obviously." Annie smirked and came to sit down by him. "You weren't listenin' to anyone else. I tried to tell you that you're never happier than when you're involved."

"Annie…"

"I should have gone with space pirate," James said to Nate - not at all trying to hide it as Nate fell apart laughing. "I threatened that one before."

"James Wagner Howlett."

"Yarg?"

Scott glared at him for a long time before finally - finally - he made a real effort to center himself and his tone. "James, stop. Please."

"Okay," James replied with a half smile.

"Thank you." Scott let out a long breath. "I don't know what you kids need me to say, exactly."

"Talk to Craig," Nate suggested.

"Probably smart," Scott agreed with a self-deprecating smile.

"And then you're gonna have to come to the range with me, right?" Kate said, grinning. "Come on, Scott. Kicking butt and doing it with no powers is so satisfying, especially when the guys your fighting are super powerful, right?"

Scott shook his head, smirking her way. "Knew you couldn't stay out of the hero life."

"You bet your Stark tech I can't."

Annie smiled and put her hand on his arm. "So, about the part where we run away…" she teased.

"Ooh, this feels like a private conversation," Kate said. "Mia?"

"On it," Mia said - and teleported Scott and Annie to Tommy's favorite spot on the island. For privacy.

As soon as they were gone, Kate grinned and toasted everyone else with her water. "Lookit that, X-Men. What a team!"

"Like there was ever any doubt," Tommy said, kicking his feet up with his hands behind his head. "We're just that amazing."

"We should set our minds to more problems. We're invincible," Kate teased as Mia reappeared and immediately settled in with Tommy, grinning with the thrill of victory.

"He's really not that hard to push," James said. "But … okay. Go team."

"Rah rah," Kate teased right back.

"It's a knee-jerk thing for you, isn't it?" James teased. "Want me to find you some pom poms?"

"Oh, would you please?" she laughed.

"Yep. Sure will."

"We did actually promise Chris and Suzie we'd get ice cream with them," Nate pointed out. "We'll find pom-poms while we're out."

"We'll just let Suzie make them," James said. "Out of whatever she thinks is appropriate."

"Perfect. Go get me Suzie-pom-poms," Kate said, grinning.

"C'mon, little brother. I think we've been dismissed," James said as he tapped Nate on the chest.

"We sure have been," Nate laughed, though he stole a long kiss from Kate before they left.

James waited for Nate at the door before they stepped away from the group at large. "I'll just wait until we get back to tell Tony it was a joke," he said loud enough for the others to catch, too.

"Wait … you have real angry Tony texts? What makes you think he won't fly here and slap you around?" Nate asked with a troublemaking laugh.

"He'd have to find me first," James said. "I turned off the locator on the armor recall. You know. Since he didn't tell me what it was."

"So petty payback?"

"Always, with him."

Once the boys were gone, the rest of the team started to laugh. "Okay, but I've never heard Scott swear at James before. I thought Nate was going to die and go to heaven," Kate said, still laughing as she did so.

"I've heard him swear at you before I heard that," Billy teased.

"To be fair, I rope Nate into trouble all the time."

"And he totally already sees you as his daughter. Just a matter of time," Billy laughed.

Tommy snorted. "He's got a point."

"Oh, like I haven't heard that joke five million times," Kate said, waving her hand.

"Must keep happening for a reason," Mia sang out.

"It's so totally not a joke," May agreed. "I didn't think you were even considering another option since you two have been nearly betrothed forever."

"I heavily considered America," Kate argued.

"Damn straight. I'm irresistible," America said without missing a beat. "But let's be real, Princess. I don't play second fiddle."

"Okay, fair, but also, love the energy," Kate teased.

"You're hilarious," May teased. "So are you going to hyphenate? Which name first?"

"Oh, he'll be Mr. Barton," Mia said before Kate could even come up with a response.

"Oooh, that'll roll off the tongue," May laughed.

"Nate and Kate Barton," Mia laughed.

"Oh, please," Tommy said. "What about Katherine Elizabeth Barton-Summers doesn't ring?"

"How do you know my middle name?" Kate laughed delightedly.

"I," Tommy said, "am a spy, Katherine Elizabeth Summers-Barton."

"It needs like … the third at the end or something," May said. "Katherine Elizabeth Summers-Barton the third."

"Then we all agree that I'm a princess," Kate said. "I mean, tangentially, I'd be marrying into the royal family via Alex, but James and Billy, on the other hand…"

"Oh, James is one hundred percent taking Billy's last name," Tommy said without missing a beat.

"Oh my god," Billy said softly, bright pink.

"Like that's not exactly what you want," Tommy pointed out. "You're so head over heels for him you'd be Billy Howlett the second he asked."

"Tommy," Billy said, brighter pink still.

"Am I wrong?" Tommy insisted.

"No, but -"

"And you're both eighteen, so get to it, Your Highness," America put in.

"That's not-"

"You're right. You need way more preparation time than that," Mia said, her eyes sparkling. "You need to be romantic and dramatic."

"Check and check," May said with a nod, happy to join in with the teasing. "Or do you need to like … have him knighted first or something?"

"Actually!" Tommy said delightedly. "There is, in fact, an official process he'd have to go through. I can help. I will be the best man. Let's go."

"Don't you dare," Billy said, though he was laughing, especially because Mia wasn't moving and letting Tommy get up as dramatically as he wanted to.

"What are the chances?" May said, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. "How does it start? A parade? A contest? Oooh, tell me it's something cape worthy."

"Definitely gotta wear a cape," Tommy cackled.

"It's just… to make sure no one is marrying just for a crown," Billy said, practically hiding.

"Is there jousting involved?" Kate laughed. "Or just basic dragon slaying? Or does that not count since you killed Katarina. Does he have to find a new dragon for you?"

"Does that mean Scott's eligible too?" Tommy cackled. "I think it counts!"

"Oh, totally," Kate agreed. "But I think Miss Annie Hale would have something to say about that."

"What's her middle name?" Mia asked Tommy. "Super spy."

"Actually, no middle name, but her full name's Annette," Tommy said. He grinned and stole a kiss. "Yes, I know. I'm amazing."

"Those will be some short wedding invites with no middle names on either side," Mia said. "So a full paragraph to commemorate Nate setting it up, right?"

"Oh, he needs his full accolades. Younger brother syndrome and all that," Kate laughed.

"That what's wrong with Tommy?" America teased.

"Hey," Tommy said, and Mia started laughing.

"He's been like this his whole life," Billy said.

"Okay, fair, but I gotta look out for my twin, right?" Tommy pointed out. "He's practically dying waiting for James to be ready for the marriage conversation; you know that's why he's taking it so hard."

"Maybe he needs to initiate then," May suggested. "I mean … they're living together already."

"Maybe I will - when we're ready," Billy said.

"Can we help?" Suzie called out as she and Chris rushed in ahead of Nate and James. The kids were only about thirty seconds ahead of the boys, but that was plenty close for James to have heard it … and Nate had caught all the telepathic wash going on with the group, so both brothers were wearing expressions that made it clear that they knew everything.

Nate was trying hard to look clueless - a dead giveaway for him - and James was just keeping his head down with a more convincing poker face.

"Ah, the kids wanted to know what you wanted us to bring back," Nate said as Suzie half-climbed Tommy and Chris tackled Billy from behind. "Hope we didn't interrupt anything."

"Chocolate, Suzie. Always chocolate," Kate said - though for the first time since the conversation had started, she was blushing pretty hard, too.

"Yeah, I know what you want," Suzie said. "Duh. I meant to ask everyone else - and you didn't answer my question." She took a hold of Tommy's face to get him to turn her way and bump noses with her. "Is she like this all the time now? Just … ignore all the important questions to answer only Nate-ape?"

"Oh, obviously. She's just that in love," Tommy said seriously. "Weird, huh?"

"Gross," Suzie said.

"That's right. You make sure when you fall in love you don't totally block out other people," Tommy agreed. "Or never fall in love. Also cool."

"Um, I meant it's gross that she's in love with my cousin," Suzie sang out - entirely to rile Nate.

"Mia's in love with Tommy, and he's your cousin too," Nate pointed out, sticking his tongue out at her.

"That's also gross," Suzie said, then, while still hanging on to Tommy, she leaned over to get Mia's attention. "You can do so much better. He drools."

"I do. It's true," Tommy agreed without missing a beat.

"All the time," Suzie said. "Like a saint bernard or something." She grinned. "But not as bad as Nate when he's sleeping."

"No," Chris said. "Tommy's worse when he's been running. For sure."

"Which is all the time, so like … that's a lot of drool," Suzie said. "And you still didn't tell me what you want me to bring back."

"Strawberry, please," Mia said, ruffling Suzie's hair.

"Or," Tommy said. "We could all go."

"Yes," Billy said immediately. "That sounds fun."

"Okay!" Chris said. "I wanna try all of the flavors."

"But what if there's a black licorice one?" Billy asked in a scandalized tone.

Chris did his best dramatic gasp. "How dare you."

Billy laughed. "There might be!"

"You're just making up evil things now!"

"Totally. I'm very, very evil."

The kids once again were in the lead as the group gathered up to go out, with Kate promising May that Genosha would be good to the non-mutant members. "But Kate," May said. "I've been paying attention to how slanted it is here and there is no news out of Genosha. Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Kate smiled and bumped shoulders with May. "I appreciate it, Spidergal," she said. "Really, I do. We've been out before, and I've been fine, I promise. I've gotten some weird looks, but I've got some fans too, so it balances. Sorta like our mutant friends when we're back home, right?"

"That's kind of what I'm afraid of, Hawkette," May replied.

"I'll be okay," Kate promised. "But I'm really glad you're looking out for me. Love you too."

The group was chattering - some teasing the kids, others teasing each other, but James stayed quiet, though he did ease Billy's mind when he reached over to offer Billy his hand on the way out the door.

"So, um, how much…" Billy whispered under his breath.

James tipped his head. "How much what?"

"Don't act like you didn't hear what we were talking about."

"Dunno what you mean, little prince."

"Okay, but you do."

James let out a sigh. "You want to do this here and now?"

"I just… wanted to make sure you're okay?" Billy said, one eye closed.

James pulled him over to kiss his cheek as they walked. "Don't worry so much. But if you want to tell me how that got started, we can do that later. Otherwise, I'm blaming America and Kate."

"Ah, me and Tommy teasing Kate, but then it went sideways?"

"Often does," James agreed, though he let a little silence fall between them before he spoke up again. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just - it's a little awkward when your guy accidentally overhears your, you know, well, yeah, I'm a little… in love. Deeply."

"Anyone I know?" James had to tease.

"Yeah, you wouldn't approve."

"Likely not," he said with a nod. "Probably the kind of slacker that'd miss your birthday."

"Oh yeah. And my family totally disapproves."

"As well they should."

"Ah well. It's too bad for them."

"Better luck next time, I'm sure." James leaned over to steal a quick kiss. "Line you up with a Doom-bot or something that refers to himself in third person only."

"There's a daddy issues joke hiding in there, I'm sure," Billy teased.

"Not… the direction I was taking, but … here we are." With a little squeeze, James shifted to put his arm around Billy's back. "So should we warn Latveria that your mom is going to wipe them out? You know … there's no way she'll approve of that match."

"She's already halfway there, considering how annoyed she is with Doom."

"I know. Just figured you'd want to go bulkier and dumber next time out."

"Not gonna be a next time," Billy said.

"Figured I was on thin ice with the way the last year has gone," James admitted.

"Honestly? The busy study schedule was hard, but we're pretty much past that now, and I'm really enjoying living together," Billy said.

"And yet … part of what you told Dad was the truth," James said.

"What, that I'm supposed to be a prince? I am one. It's a thing. You've known this."

"That your mom wants you to be home more," James said. "And I don't know what the story is yet with that last paper that's taking them forever to close - even while I'm getting hints at work to keep going."

"Okay, but Mom wants you home more too, you get that, right?" Billy teased.

"I did not, actually," James admitted.

"She likes you." Billy blushed. "Which… is … step one in… long-term planning, anyway."

James chuckled. "Pretty sure that's not news to anyone, anywhere. Family that can tolerate … everyone has to do that." He kissed Billy again. "You have a twelve step program or something?"

"Oh, ah, I was gonna talk to you about this eventually, but, like, there's a whole… After Mom and Aunt Lorna married who they did, Grandfather set into law a whole… buncha stuff you need to do if you marry in."

James actually slowed to a stop to turn toward him. "Wait. What? What are you talking about? Really."

"There's a whole… official declaration of intent, and then there's a wait period, and then there's an official presentation and… you know what, we can talk about this when we're ready?" Billy said, turning nearly purple-pink.

James blew out a slow breath, focusing well beyond their group that was already ahead of them by half a block. "Okay, here's how it goes. You can either tell me what the story is, or I'll dig into it myself."

Billy raised both eyebrows, surprised (and pleased) by how serious James sounded. "It's… I can… here." His eyes glowed. "Iwantacopyofthatlaw," he chanted, and a second later, he was holding a parchment so James could see it. "It's a lot of declarations and then waiting periods and some approval processes, mostly to make sure we can't rush in, you know… get too swept up or… whatever…"

James started reading it even as Billy tried to summarize, checking over a few sections several times without saying a word the same way Billy had seen him goig through research papers. "When … did he do this?"

"According to Mom, it was, like, a week after Alex and Lorna eloped."

James nodded and bit his lip. "Well. Have you read all of this yourself?"

"Yeah, I know it's a lot," Billy said quickly. "But Mom isn't gonna overturn it; she thinks it is a good idea to have a codified process to keep manipulators and spies and stuff away from the royal family. Not that you are one, just - generally speaking for the future."

"It … probably is," James admitted, finally looking up at him. "Seriously. Did you read this?"

"I… asked Dad to give me the overview," Billy admitted.

"He glossed over a few things," James said as he handed it back to Billy. "For starters, even if we started the process now, no matter how fast it was hit, nothing can happen until you're twenty one at minimum."

"Wait, really?" Billy snatched the parchment away. "I just asked for a timeline, you know, how long from start to finish…"

"Well according to that, even if I had a ring right now, the process wouldn't really start until then. So…" James shrugged. "You have plenty of time to wise up, it seems."

"Wow." Billy read over the law quickly. "Okay, must have missed that part. Maybe Dad thought - maybe he said it and I wasn't listening? Wow, twenty-one to start." He glanced up at James and turned pink. "Which, I mean, I get why Mom kept it, because we're still technically teen- I mean, twenty-one is still young, really, and impressionable and everything and- I'm going to stop talking now because I feel like I'm digging a hole."

"I'm fine with that," James said. "The law, I mean. Makes sense. A lot of what Tony has set up for me won't be applicable until then, too - and more at twenty five, so … seems like normal legalese to me, for what it's worth." He shrugged then started to walk again. "Of course, Tony's paperwork is framed like it is in part to make sure I have time to finish appropriate college degrees…"

"Yeah, well." Billy cleared his throat. "Okay, we can come back to this when it's more … relevant, I guess. Yeah?"

James nodded, but it was clear to him that Billy was irked. "Hey, lil' prince," he said. "It's okay."

"I know, I know."

"Love you."

Billy grinned, blatantly ignoring some of the Genoshan citizens who were nearby gushing over them. "Love you too."

"Don't ask her to change anything," James said. "I'll go ahead and talk to Harvard and see how long they think their doctorates will take."

"Okay," Billy said. "And… let's find a new place in the meantime."

"Absolutely," James agreed. "One that we pick - not Natasha."